Persons using assistive technology might not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, please send e-mail to: mmwrq@cdc.gov. Type 508 Accommodation and the title of the report in the subject line of e-mail.

Announcement: World COPD Day --- November 18, 2009

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is becoming a global public health problem and an economic burden. The World Health Organization estimates that, by 2030, COPD will be the third leading cause of death worldwide (1). The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, in collaboration with health-care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world, is sponsoring World COPD Day on November 18, 2009. The aim of World COPD Day is to raise awareness about COPD and improve COPD care throughout the world.

Tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor for the development and progression of COPD. Additional risk factors include asthma, exposure to ambient pollutants in the home and workplace, and respiratory infections (2). Smokers should be encouraged to seek support to quit, and all persons should be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke. Many resources are available to help smokers quit. Additional information about smoking cessation is available online (at http://www.smokefree.gov and http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking) or by telephone (800-QUITNOW [800-784-8669]).

COPD is treatable, and early diagnosis is important. Health-care providers should evaluate persons at risk for COPD who have cough, sputum production, or shortness of breath, and use spirometry to determine the severity of the disease (3). Additional information on COPD is available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/lmbb-campaign.

Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are
provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content
of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of
the date of publication.

All MMWR HTML versions of articles are electronic conversions from typeset documents.
This conversion might result in character translation or format errors in the HTML version.
Users are referred to the electronic PDF version (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr)
and/or the original MMWR paper copy for printable versions of official text, figures, and tables.
An original paper copy of this issue can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402-9371;
telephone: (202) 512-1800. Contact GPO for current prices.

**Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to
mmwrq@cdc.gov.